Web roll controlling mechanism



NOV 1, 1932. J HORTON 1,885,351

WEB ROLL CONTROLLING MECHANISM Original Filed June 8. 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet l l N V N T O R 424%?" riimw Ad, 4%,;

Nov. 1, 1932. A. J. HORTON 1,335,351

WEB ROLL CONTROLLING MECHANISM Original Filed June 8, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 23 mvzu'ron W/mfi NOV. 1, 1932. J HORTON I 1,885,351

WEB ROLL CONTROLLING MECHANISM Original Filed June 8. 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 BIUJEIILTICJII:

INVENTOR MMj/M ATTYs.

Nov. 1, 1932. J, HQRTQN 1,885,351

WEB ROLL CONTROLLING MECHANISM Original Filed June 8, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ,u 1 0=I l :ll w Qt N h: T g I l 1! ll I] E m I 8 33 R I I I I! 1 L I 1 y 1: i ll 1 Q Q i ii i I l l l w '1 l a l I l h L w 1 p a H I ll WI. l I .u 1 lb 1. I I:

| l I l mvzm'on g a 116%? ll- I A 1 w a A-r vs Patented Nov. 1, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ALBERT .1. HORTON, or WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK, assmNoR To R. non & o0., I c; OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK WEB ROLL CONTROLLING mEcHANIsm Application filed June 8, 1927, Serial No. 197,394. Renewed March 23, 1932.

This invention relates to certain improvements in tension devices for controlling the tension of the web of'rotating web rolls.

It is the especial object of the invention to produce an improved tension device, particularly for controlling a web roll while it is unwinding, in which a variation of the tension of the running web acts to control the tension or pressure produced by the tension devices to effect the desired running of the roll.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved tension device in which there are provided friction means which engage the surface of the running roll so as to provide the required tension or pressure for the roll as it unwinds.

A further object of the present invention is to produce an improved tension device in which the parts are all located at one side-of the web roll so that free access is provided for loading a web roll into its support or for removing a spent roll therefrom.

With these and other objects not specifically referred to in view,the invention consists in certain novel parts, arrangements and combinations which will be described in connection with the accompanying drawings and the novel features pointed out in the claims hereunto appended.

In these drawings,

Figure 1 is anend elevation, partly broken away and partly insection, of an improved web roll tension device embodying the features of the invention, showing a full roll in position; v r

Figure 2 is a/similar view showing the roll nearly exhausted and the parts of the mechanism in the position then assumed by them;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the construction shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a side view of the construction shown in Figure 1 looking in the direction of arrovw 4 of that figure; I

Figures 5 to 8 are views of a modified construction embodying features of the invention, Figure 5 being an end view, partly broken away, showing the full roll in position; Figure 6 a view similar to Figure 5 showing the nearly exhausted roll and the 59 parts in the position they then assume;Fig-

ure 7 a top view of the construction shown in Figure 5 looking in the direction of arrow 7 of that figure, and Figure 8 an end .view of the device looking in the direction of arrow 8 of Figure 5.

Referring now to these drawings-and first to Figures 1 to 4 inclusive, which illustrate the preferred embodiment of the device,-the invention has been illustrated as embodied in a mechanism for controlling the unwinding of a web roll, but it will be understood that as to certain of its features the inven -tion is applicable to and may be used in otherwise controlling rolls of web material and that such uses are within the invention.

In these figures the construction illustrated embodies a roll support in the form of a pair of side frames l/Q suitably supported on bases 3, 4, these side frames being provided with brackets 5, 6 secured thereto, as by bolts 7, these brackets being provided with journals 8 for the core 9 of a web roll 10, this roll being shown as an unwinding roll. The web 11 from this unwinding roll, in the best constructions, passes over a guide roll 12 supported in brackets 13, 14-. secured to the side frames 1, 2, before referred to, and under aguide roll 14 suitably supported in the side frames. From the guide roll 14' the web preferably passes over a tension roll 15 supported in bearings 16 sliding inguides 17 in a block 18 suitably secured in brackets 19 secured to the side frames before referred to, this roll being spring seated on springs 20 and being adjustable to vary the web tension by adjusting screws 21 and locknuts 22.

Friction. means are employed for controlling the unwinding of the web and, in the preferred constructions, these means will be such as to engage with the surface of the web roll, but it will be understood that under certain circumstances other friction means may be employed. An improved mechanism is provided for controlling the tension or pressure which these friction devices exert against the roll, this mechanism being controlled in turn by variations in the tension of the running web, so that where the web roll is being used in conjunction with a printing machine a sudden stoppage of 100 the press or a break in the web will increase the tension or pressure which the friction devices exert on the roll and stop the rotation of the roll.

. The specific mechanism by which this is effected may vary widely in construction, as may also, as before stated, the friction means engaging the surface of the roll. Referring again to Figures 1 to 4, there is provided a friction device in the form of a narrow strap or belt, which preferably is positioned about centrally of the roll, as shown at 23. The end of this strap or belt is anchored at a point above the roll, being in the particular construction shown secured to a bar 24 supported in the brackets 13, 14, before referred to. This belt may be of any desired length, but in the best constructions will be of such length that it will engage approximately one-half the circumference of a full roll, as shown in Figure 1. The other end of this strap or belt 23 passes over an idler roll or drum 25 located below and somewhat in advance of the vertical axis of the web roll on the side of the roll opposite the unwinding web and then around an idler roll or drum 26 located at the other side of the vertical axis of the roll, these idler rolls 25, 26 being rotatably supported in bearings 27 secured to the bases 3, 4, before referred to.

The other end of the friction strap is connected with the mechanism which is controlled by the tension of the running web. \Vhile such mechanism may be variedwithin wide limits, in the particular construction shown the end of the belt or strap 23 is secured to a cross-bar 28, which in turn is secured to one end of flexible carriers shown in the form of a pair of chains 29, 30.

Cooperating with the unwinding web is a controller which, through variations in the tension of the web, operates the strap or belt to increase the tension or pressure exerted by the strap on the unwinding roll, and in the particular construction shown this controller is in the form of a floating roll 31 which lies v in a loop 32 of the web, so that if the web breaks or if there is a sudden stoppage of the press the roll will move downwardly and, through mechanism now to be described, will actuate the belt or strap to increase the pressure produced by it against the roll surface.

While this mechanism may assume various forms, in the particular construction shown the controller roll is journalled in bearings 33 formed in T-shaped fittings 34, which preferably have a sliding movement on guide rods 35 supported in upper and lower brackets 36, 37 suitably secured to the side frames 1, 2 of the machine, before referred to, a guide rod and its bracket being provided on each side of the machine. The bearings 33 of the T-shaped fittings in turn are connected to the chains 29, 30, and these chains are connected, through screw-bolts 38 and locknuts 39, with the bar 28, before referred to. These chains 29, 30 pass over sprockets '40, 41 on a cross-shaft 42 suitably journalled in bearings 43 on bracket arms 44, 45 suitably secured to the side frames of the machine, before referred to. If desired, weights 46 may be connected with the chains to effect a partial counter-balance of the controller roll and its associated parts, and if a variation of the pressure produced by the friction strap is required during the usual or normal running of the roll this may be effected byremoving some of the weights, so that a greater pulll on the strap is exerted by the controller r0 1.

It will be observed with the construction shown and described that when a full roll is being run to the press the friction strap engages the roll for substantially half its diameter. As the roll decreases in size, less length of strap is required and the slack in the strap is taken up by the downward movement of the floating roll and its associated parts, the roll moving from the position shown in Figure 1 to the position shown in Figure 2, where the roll is shown as about to expire.

It will be further observed that the movement of this floating controller roll is a straight linemovement, being in the particular construction shown avertical movement, thus a very simple and effective construction is obtainecL and while the guides 35 are, preferably used it will be understood that under some circumstances these could be omitted if desired. Furthermore, the operating mechanism is all located to one side of the roll "support, so that there is no interference in strap from forcing the roll out of its bearings and a convenient means is that shown, including a locking hook 47 which engages the roll spindles and locks the roll in its bearings.

If desired, means may be provided for conveniently elevating the controller roll and its associated parts so as to relieve the pressure on the friction strap when a new roll is being loaded into the roll support. While these means may vary, in the construction shown in Figures 1 to 4 the end of the shaft 42 is provided with a ratchet 48 with which cooperates a pawl 49, and the shaft at its outer end is provided with an operating wheel 50. This ratchet is normally held in inoperative position. When, however, it is desired to elevate the controller roll, the pawl is dropped to engage the ratchet teeth, and the shaft can be rotated by the hand-wheel 50.

In Figures 5 to 8 there is shown a somewhat modified construct on for effecting the objects of the invention. Referring now to these figures, the friction device illustrated is in the form of three narrow straps or belts 51, 52' and 53, which are arranged to engage the surface ofthe roll. These friction straps or belts are fastened or anchored at their lower ends to a rod or bar 54, and springs 55 are preferably interposed between the ends of the straps or belts and the bar to compensate for any unevenness in the roll and to secure .a substantial even distribution of the pressure exerted by these straps or belts. "At their other ends, these straps or belts are fastened to and wound about drums 56, see Figure 7, carried on a cross-shaft 57 suitably mounted in the side frames 1, 2 of the machine? This cross-shaftat one end is provided with a sprocket 58 which is rotated by a chain 59 passing over a sprocket 60 on an operating shaft 61 suitably journalled in bearings 62 supported by side frames 1, 2 of the machine, before referred to. This operating shaft at each end is provided with a sprocket, indicated at 63, 64, over which pass a pair of chains 65, 66, the ends of which are connected together by bolts 67, 68, on which may be movably supported weights 69. The chains at their lower ends pass over sprockets 70, 71 on a shaft 72 ournalled in the bases 3, 4 of the machine, before referred to. In this modified arran ement there is provided a controller roll 73, similar to the roll 31, before referred to, this controller roll 73 lying in a loop 74 of the web 11. This controller roll is connected to the chains in any suitable manner, as by being supported in blocks 75, 76 carried by the cha ns 65, 66. If desired, suitable guides,- as 77, 78, suitably secured to the side frames 1, 2 of the machine, before referred to, may be employed for guiding the ends of the roll shaft.

If desired, for elevating the controller roll 73 when a new web roll is loaded into the support, the shaft 61 is provided with a squared end 79 to receive an operating crank 80, by wh ch the shaft may be rotated and the friction straps or belts loosened so that the roll may be readily put in place. In this modified constructlon, the Web 11 also passes over a spring pressed roll 81, similar to the roll 15, before referred to.

The operation of the modified construction is the same as that heretofore descr bed. On a stoppage of the press or a break in the web, the controller roll will drop, thus adding the increased pressure of the friction straps on the roll surface. This controller roll is governed by variations in the tension of the webs, the slacken ng of the web causing a tightening of the belts, and the tightening of the webcausing a lifting movement of the controller roll and a slight decrease in the belts.

With the construction described, it will be seen that the pressure applied to the web roll by the friction means employed is automatically governed during the running of the web roll, this being effected by variations in the tension in the running web, and a corre'ct pressure is maintained on the roll at all times. It will be observed further that the controlling mechanism functions on any Variation in the tension oftheweb so that a practically infinite-number of degrees of tension may be obtained on the, friction belts or straps and thus properly control the running of the web roll at all times during its unwinding.

While the'invention has been shown and described in its preferred form, it will be understood that certain changes and variations may be made in the particular construction and arrangement described without departing from the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. Web controlling mechanism having in combination a support for a running web roll, a friction strap or belt engaging the surface of the web roll for controlling its unwinding, a controller roll riding in a loop of the web, a pair of chains to which the controller roll is connected and located outside the path of the running web, connections between the chains and the strap, and a sprocke shaft over whichthe chains pass.

2. combination a support for a running web roll, a friction belt or strap engaging a substanstial area widthwise of the surface of the web roll, a controller roll engaging the web and movable on variations in web tension, slid- .ing boxes in which the controller roll is mounted, connections between the boxes and the belt or strap, a pair of sprocket shafts, a chain passing over the sprockets and connected with the boxes, and tension means tending to turn one of the sprocket shafts.

3. Web roll controlling mechanism having in combination a support for a running web roll, a strap or belt engaging the roll surface for controlling the web roll during its unwinding, a roll to which one end of the strap is secured and about which it may be wound, a controller engaging the surface of the unwinding web, and mechanical connections actuated by the movement of the controller for causing the rotation of the roll to which the strap is secured.

4. Web roll controlling mechanism havin in combination a support for a running we roll, a strap or belt engaging the roll surface for controlling the unwinding of the web eb controlling mechanism having in" roll, a roll to which one end of the strap is 5. A web roll controlling mechanism having in combination a support for a running web roll, a controller roll running in a loop of the web, side guides, bearing members for the controller roll adapted to slide on the guides, chains secured to the bearing members, a rotatable shaft having sprockets rotating therewith over which the chains pass and thus act to maintain the controller roll in parallelism with the axis of the web roll, and a friction strap engaging the roll surface and having one end secured to an anchorage and extending therefrom around the web roll in the direction that it is rotated to unwind it, and a connection between the chains and the other end of the strap.

6. A web roll controlling mechanism having in combination a support for a running web roll, a controller roll running in a loop of the web, side guides, bearing members for the controller roll adapted to slide on the guides, chains secured to the bearing mem-'' bers, a rotatable shaft having sprockets rotating therewith over which the chains pass and thus act to maintain the controller roll in arallelism with the axis of the web roll, a riction strap engaging the roll surface having one end secured to an anchorage and extending therefrom around the Web roll in the direction that it is rotated to unwind it, and a cross-member connected to the chains and to the other end of the strap.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

Y ALBERT J. HORTON. 

